Our SU Top 100 list is beginning to wrap up, along with our FizzCasts that are analyzing the list. However, before we finish the list we have to give credit where credit is due and name the No. 21 player– Casey Powell.
Have you heard of that last name before? Even if you aren’t a huge lax junkie, the answer is still probably yes. The Powell’s are one of, if not the most famous family in Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse history. Casey, along with his brothers Mike and Ryan all went to SU. They were all fantastic and all are on our SU Top 100 list, but for now, let’s talk about Casey.
Powell played for the Orange from 1995-1998 under the legendary Roy Simmons Jr. He donned the historic number 22 and was a big reason why it is such a famous number for Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse.
Throughout his career, he poured in 158 goals and 129 assists for a total of 287 points, which ranks second all-time in program history. Casey is actually tied at exactly 287 with his brother Ryan. He also ranks fourth in career goals and sixth in career assists.
It is difficult to pick the number one with all of the talent the SU lacrosse program has had, but Casey Powell is in the debate for the most prolific scorers ever. He could easily pop off for a double hat trick or even more. Powell holds the Syracuse record for most goals in a game when he scored 9 (!!!) against Towson in 1998. Think about that. One player found the back of the net 9 times in one game. There are some games that an entire team doesn’t make it to 9 goals, let alone one person.
Plus, Powell also holds the record for most points in a game with 13 (!!!!!!). Like, what??? How is that even possible?
The personal awards list is not limited for Casey Powell, either:
- 1995 Second-Team All-American
- 1996 First-Team All-American
- 1996 Division I Midfielder of the Year
- 1997 First-Team All-American
- 1997 Division I Most Outstanding Player
- 1998 First-Team All-American
- 1998 Division I Attackman of the Year
- 1998 Division I Most Outstanding Player
Did you catch the impressive part of that list? Well, granted there are a lot of impressive parts, including being a four-time All-American and two-time Most Outstanding Player. But that’s not the craziest part about that list of accolades. The best part is that Powell was the best player in the entire country in two different positions. He started his Syracuse career in the midfield and then switched to attack, without missing a beat and still being the most dominant guy on the field no matter the competition. Powell is the only player to earn First-Team All-American honors at two different positions.
To add even more allure to Powell’s resume, he has a national title to his name. Powell and company won the 1995 National Championship in his freshman season with a 13-9 victory over Maryland. Plus, he led his team to the NCAA Tournament every season he was on the hill. Powell is the only Syracuse player to be named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament team in four-straight years.
After Syracuse, Powell went on to play in the NLL and MLL. He was named league MVP in the MLL twice and is in the top-five for points scored all-time. Powell was inducted in the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2017.
Now, Powell is the Northwestern Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach, a captain of the US Lacrosse National Team, a part of the World Lacrosse Foundation, en entrepreneur with his company Powell Lacrosse Sticks, and even has his own video game.
Casey Powell is not only one of the best players in Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse history, he is one of the best players in the entire sport of lacrosse. He easily could have been higher on our SU Top 100 list, but with all of the other talents that have come through Syracuse, Casey Powell lands at No. 21.
